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Saturday, September 28, 2013

No, I Don't Want a Tuk Tuk Ride or a Boyfriend

"You want tuk tuk?"  All three hundred drivers asked me this during my stay in Siem Reap.  I accepted one ride since it was pouring out, and I had a bag full of vegetables. 

I have made some friends already.  I went to Preah Prom Rath Wat and monastery and met Ch-mii.  That word means dog, and it was fitting. Here is part of our conversation:
C - Do you have boyfriend?
K - No.  (Damn, why did I say no?!)
C - How old are you?
K - Um,.. I have to go now.
C - I love you. 
K - Uh...OK.  Bye.
C - I love you in Cambodia!

Later, I talked to a tuk tuk driver named Rochon.
R - What? You not married?  Why you not married?
K - I don't want to get married.
R - You like Cambodian men?  I know someone you can marry.
K - Oh yeah?  Is his name Rochon?
R - Yes!  We get married, and you stay in Cambodia long time. 
K - No thanks.  I gotta go now. 
 
My favorite interaction was with two young girls.  I found a Mexican restaurant in Siem Reap (Yay!), and was sitting on the patio when they approached me and tried to sell me a book.  I said no because I had already read it.  They sat at a nearby table for a while and returned with a note.  It read:
Hello!  How are you today?  Very nice to meet you.  My name is Chuk and Peach  I give you flower  (There was a drawing of a flower on the back.)  I wish you good luck  I like your smile  you are very nice  am very happy to see you  I have one brother and five sisther  I hope to see you again  can you buy me food  Please I hope you can buy me food.  Please Please Please.  thank you so much  From Chuk and Peach

I thanked them for the note and told them to sit and wait while I ordered something for them.  Chuk said, "We like nachos!"  I laughed and got them some chips and salsa for $1. 

 

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